Is the US Falling Behind on Quality of Infrastructure?

The answer to this question depends on who you ask.  In one article, published by the Washington Post, the thrust of the story is that the U. S. is falling behind dramatically vs. the major emerging market countries such as China, India and Brazil.  The Urban Land Institute published a report indicating that the U. S. should invest $2 trillion in rebuilding its transportation network in order for it to continue to drive efficiency and global economic leadership.

The Washington Post story can be read at the following link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/study-2-trillion-needed-for-us-infrastructure/2011/05/16/AFyppB5G_story.html?hpid=z3

This piece from the Wall Street Journal paints a different picture, albeit solely related to China:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703421204576328640297396406.html?KEYWORDS=heard+on+the+street

The Wall Street Journal article suggests that China's infrastructure is so inefficient that logistics costs are around 21% of GDP (total economic output), compared to 10% for the U. S. and 13% for India.  The piece blames China's focus on manufacturing, a fragmented transportation system, high tariffs for road transport, and multiple providers "piling on fees."

The truth is probably somewhere in between these two vastly differing views.  

Transportation infrastructure is one key area that helps the U. S. maintain its global economic dominance and its ability to a maintain higher-than-average standard of living for its residents.

Transportation infrastructure is a natural place for government and private industry to work together for the betterment of U. S. residents and business interests.